The Elf Blog

The Unexpected

No matter how much you plan, you can't control every aspect of life.  For example, this morning, my dog woke me in the wee hours of the morning because she wasn't feeling well.

Dealing with the situation required cleaning up after her, sitting with her until the vet office opened, hecking in with the vet during the day, picking her up, doing laundry, and spending some quality snuggling time.  None of that was on today's agenda.  Nor was the vet bill in this month's budget.

That's not a reason not to plan.  It's a reason to stay flexible.  I may have to reschedule some things and juggle some other things, but being planned and organized gives me the freedom to do those things.  And planning my saving lets me handle the unexpected bills without too much stress.

And most important, my dog is doing much better.

Hershey at Halloween

Last week, I made my adorable dog, Hershey, a Halloween costume. I used sale fabric I picked up in a big box store for less than $5 (and I have tons left for other projects).  I downloaded a free stencil for the monogram and I made a pattern from newspaper.  All told, it cost less than a dollar and took about an hour and a half -- most of that trying to measure her while she squirmed.

Here are the results:

Pretty cute, eh?  And the cape is nice too.

Wait 'Til the Reindeer See This!

I haven't been with you for a few days because I've been learning to fly:

 

OK, so I can't fly outside the wind tunnel or pull a sleigh full of toys, but it was still cool! 

Six-Month Anniversary

Six months ago, Hershey came to live with me.  Hershey is a very sweet terrier mix who was rescued from a puppy mill in North Carolina.

In six months, she has gone from being a nervous dog who wouldn't go outside and who was tentative about everything to a kissy, confident dog who thinks she's the neighborhood welcome wagon, responsible for greeting EVERYONE.

Having a pet does require changes, however.  There are new expenses for veterinary care, food, licensing, toys, etc.  Things get messier faster, requiring more cleaning.  Time must be planned more carefully, around walks and playtime and feeding.  Dogs can't be left alone for too many hours, so errands and other trips must be scheduled carefully.

If you are thinking about getting a pet, please check out your local shelter.  And, in the meantime, start planning and decluttering to make space for a furry friend!

Unexpected Occurrences

No matter how much you plan, sometimes, life just happens.

On Friday night, my hot water heater decided to give up the ghost -- spilling it all over my kitchen floor.  On Saturday, I had a plumber come in to install a new one --a significant unanticipated expense.

This is why it's so imoprtant to have an emergency fund.  It takes one stress away from such nasty surprises.  If you don't have savings set aside for unexpected occurrences, try to set aside a bit each week until you have a fund built up.  the hardest part is remembering NOT TO TOUCH IT unless there's a real emergency.  (No, hard as it is to believe, a shoe sale is not an emergency.)

An Elf Recommendation

On my recent vacation, I visited a magical place.  No, not the North Pole.  In my world, that's a business trip!

I made two visits to the Spa at Colonial Williamsburg.  Any spa treatment comes with access to the steam room, hot tub, and lounges.  The amenities include everything from beauty products and chilled cloths dampened with lavender water to custom-blended teas and almonds.  (You can purchase the beauty products and teas at the spa boutique.  If you run out once you get home, they'll ship.)

The staff is solicitous and professional; thoroughly competent, yet charming and helpful. A wide variety of treatments are offered, so you have plenty of choice.  They even have a special suite where couples or mothers and daughters or best friends can receive treatments side-by-side.

There is one significant danger:  you may never want to leave, it's so relaxing and lovely.

Now, you'll notice this blog post isn't categorized as a money-saving venture.  Well, it isn't one.  This isn't an inexpoensive treat.  It's a splurge.  But it's worth it!

The Cost of Appearances

I've been thinking today about the amount of time and money I spend on appearances -- specifically salon-type services and health club memberships.  Think about it:  monthly gym fees, personal training appointments, hair cuts, manicures, pedicures, waxing, massages, facials.

As these things are among my little treats for myself, I always seem to justify the time and expense, but I wonder. 

Obviously, the gym membership can have health benefits and some basic grooming is a necessity.  But I still wonder if we go overboard.  What do you think?

The Living Simply Experiment

Well, my three month experiment in limiting my purchases and cutting back on "stuff" has ended -- with mixed results.

I only cleaned out one storage space (out of 3 in my bedroom let alone the rest of my house).  Not much progress, honestly.

I had more success with limiting my purchases.  I had the big purchases -- the tent and the hammock.  I also made some smaller purchases -- 2 rings, a few books, a pair of shoes.  I did great until the 28th when I went on a bit of a spree.  I bought several articles of clothing (almost all of which have been worn already) and a craft book. 

Still, I'm glad I did the experiment.  I probably accumulated less stuff than I would have otherwise.  Plus, I'm far more aware of my purchasing habits.  It's always a good thing to be aware of what you do and why and to think twice about purchases. 

My experiment is over, but I hope the awareness remains.

Sorry for the Absence

I spent the Fourth of July dealing with a family emergency, so I have no reports on cookouts or fireworks.

I did, however, manage to do some Christmas shopping over the last few days.  It's always nice to make progress on the list.  Hopefully, I'll get to some crafting toward the end of the month.

So, how did you all (the few of you who still read here!) celebrate the Fourth?

I Hate Moths

This weekend, I faced an infestation of pantry moths.  I hate moths.  (To be honest, I hate all bugs that don't have the good sense to stay outside.  Once you're in my house, you're mine.)

Pantry moths go after cereals -- opened or boxed -- and can make quite a mess.  They fly slowly but they breed quickly.

The first step in dealing with them is getting rid of the products that are infested.  They need to be in a sealed garbage bag in the outside trash can.  Washing things down after disposing of the products is a good idea.  I used a weak bleach solution.

A friend of mine also tracked down an excellent trap called Pantry Pest that traps moths so you can discard them.  After 24 hours, the difference is noticeable.